WATCH & DISCUSS:

SHORT FILMS, GREAT IDEAS

A FILM CRITICAL VIEWING PROGRAM FOR MENTAL HEALTH

The nationwide film critical viewing program "I Watch and Discuss: short films, big ideas" returns with new films focusing on mental health. Following the program’s great success in 2023–2024 — implemented in over 157 school classes across Greece, with films addressing diversity and racism — we are now applying the same methodology to a new set of films that approach themes of mental resilience from different perspectives.

The films were selected by Maria Leonida, filmmaker and educator; Ioanna Katsiafliani, psychologist and program advisor; Koula Panagou, educator specializing in play therapy; and Chryssa Tsalafouta, philologist and cultural manager.

The goal of the program is to create a safe and creative space in the classroom where students can explore their emotional well-being through art.

To participate in the program, join the informative webinar we are organizing on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, from 18:30 to 20:00, where we will present the materials and steps of “I Watch and Discuss.”

The project is implemented under the auspices and support of the Ministry of Culture and with the funding of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF).

For any questions, please contact us at:
📧 screeningskarpos@gmail.com
📞 +30 6949404003

The Structure

1. Screening of 5 short films with a total duration of 28 minutes. They can be shown with 1–2 minute pauses between them for discussion. It is recommended that the screening take place in a darkened room (using a projector and an internet connection where possible).
2. Discussion – Voting: Duration: 45 minutes. Students–viewers discuss in small groups (2 or 3 students) and decide on their answers to specific questions — both open-ended and multiple-choice — relating to the content of the films, the storytelling through images, and the different thoughts and emotions they evoke. The voting, therefore, includes questions that go beyond simple ranking such as “1st, 2nd, 3rd,” etc. Sample questions: ✔ Which film would I immediately send to a friend to watch? ✔ Which was the most unusual film that “sparks discussion”? Process: The voting takes place online through an interactive platform (if internet connection is difficult, it can be conducted on paper and later transcribed onto the platform).
3. Karpos will offer two webinars on the methodology, the framework for creating the films, and clarifications regarding the coordination of the activity. The responsible teachers/coordinators will receive digital certificates of participation.
4. The results of the votes will be immediately sent to the teacher, so they can discuss them with the students if they wish. Afterwards, they will be posted on our website.
5. Optionally, either as homework, we suggest two types of artistic expression — one based on writing and one on cinematic storytelling — with the help of tutorials and guidance provided by Karpos. Specifically: ● Individual writing of a film review for one of the program’s films (up to 300 words). ● Group production of a short film using a low-cost animation technique.
6. In April 2026, a Closing Ceremony of the program will take place in Athens, where the best group projects (film reviews and short films) will be awarded. There will also be a screening of the films that received the most votes from across the country, and the national voting results will be presented!

Who can participate?

A single class section or an entire school class, guided by at least one teacher/coordinator.
Students from different classes, e.g., a club or interest group.
An informal group (e.g., scouts, a cultural club, an association, etc.).

Why should your school participate?

The program can be implemented anywhere in Greece, offering children both inside and outside urban centers the opportunity for creative communication, discussion, collaboration, and critical viewing. Students will engage experientially in a unique discussion process aimed at fostering film literacy.

Objectives:

The program familiarizes students with the audiovisual language, which is highly relevant in today’s world.

Specifically, it helps them to:

Develop their relationship with cinema through the flexible format of short films.
Enhance image-reading skills and delve into short narratives.
Participate in an equitable, creative discussion on contemporary social issues, presenting arguments and perspectives.
Cultivate teamwork and negotiation skills through collective processes.
Engage in the production of information and develop critical approaches to mass media.

Each teacher can participate in creative dialogue with their class, while simultaneously fostering a sense of shared experience with other groups across Greece. This can spark further collaborations and remote communication between schools and groups.

The selected films

The films cover a wide range of cinematic styles while addressing various topics related to mental health and resilience.

1. In between (2012) | Animation, 3’

Directors: Alice Bissonnet, Aloyse Desoubries Binet, Sandrine Han Jin Kuang, Juliette Laurent, Sophie Markatatos

Synopsis: A young woman is troubled by… a crocodile that follows her everywhere, disrupting her daily life. She tries in every possible way to get rid of it and free herself from the things that hold her back.

2. A Sound of Mine (2019) | fiction, 5'

Director: Jaime Olias

Synopsis: An autistic boy wears headphones to block out the sounds of the outside world, calming his anxiety. When he realizes that the only sound he can hear underwater is his own heartbeat, he discovers a hidden talent. The film has been awarded by the European Commission.

3. Weathered (2024) | documentary & animation, 5'

Director: Patrick Jang

Synopsis: Two teenage girls openly share personal stories of struggle, resilience, and coming of age in a documentary that highlights the incredible strength of young people to overcome their turbulent inner battles.

4. Searching for Ways (2025) | Documentary, 5’

Directors: Collective, 1st Gymnasium of Tavros & 12th Gymnasium of Kallithea

Synopsis: Thirteen students, through an audiovisual workshop, talk about their anxieties and dreams, ask questions, and become documentarians themselves, discovering how today’s youth manages their concerns.

5. Why Can’t We Just Be Ghosts? (2025) | fiction, 9'

Director: Patrick Jang

Synopsis: Why can’t we just be… ghosts? The film explores the relationship between a depressed ghost and their best friend. Through their conversations, they ponder what it means to be alive and how one should live their life.

The process of viewing and critically analyzing these films helps students express themselves through art on topics they might otherwise find difficult to discuss, while also learning more about them. The films bring into the classroom themes of empowerment through artistic creation and representation.

Meet the team

Maria Leonida

Film Director - Art Director of the program

She studied History, Art History, and Film in Greece, England, and Denmark. She has directed documentaries in collaboration with numerous organizations in Greece and abroad. Since 2002, she has collaborated with the London Institute of Education and the Melina Program, focusing on teaching video and the use of audiovisual media by children, youth, and adults. She has designed and conducted audiovisual workshops for institutions such as the University of Athens, Frankfurt University, the British Council, and various Primary and Secondary Education Directorates, among others. She is a PhD candidate at the University of Athens.

Ioanna Katsiafliani

Psychologist

She is a graduate of the Department of Philosophy, Pedagogy, and Psychology at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH), specializing in Psychology. She holds a higher education diploma in the field of addictions through distance learning from the Leeds Addiction Unit, University of Leeds, as well as a Master of Science in Psychology and Counseling from Manchester Metropolitan University. She has also been trained in Systemic Group Psychotherapy at the Athens Center for the Study of Man. For the past decade, she has worked as an adult psychotherapist. In the program, she will serve in an advisory role regarding the final selection of films and the design of the educational materials.

Koula Panagou

Educator - Teacher's Coordinator

She is an educator and Head of Educational Programs at the Network for Children’s Rights. She completed her studies at the University of Athens, in the Department of Early Childhood Education. She also completed a four-year training in play therapy at Erma – Private Psychotherapeutic Lifelong Learning Center. She designs, coordinates, and implements educational programs for children in preschool and school education within both formal and non-formal education settings, and she leads parent counseling groups. She is responsible for coordinating the educators participating in the program.

Chrysa Tsalafouta

Philologist - Cultural Manager

She is a graduate of the Department of Philology (National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, NKUA) with postgraduate studies in Classical Philology (NKUA). She holds a master’s specialization in Cultural Management (Panteion University) and has studied German Language and Philology (NKUA), focusing on cultural and intercultural communication. She has participated in international organizations (Erasmus Student Network, Humanity in Action) and various artistic festivals (To Mikro Paris, Positively Different Short Film Festival, etc.). She has also worked on text editing for the OGL of the Center for Hellenic Studies at Harvard University.

This project is implemented under the auspices and support of the Ministry of Culture and with the funding of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation.